Instock Manager

Roles and responsibilities

• Identify and pursue process improvement opportunities, with a special focus on supply planning processes, working with vendors, vendor operations, and inventory management
• Be a leader beyond the own categories by scaling best practices introduced at the highest possible level, ideally world-wide, and by supporting new tools/processes deployment
• Create a sourcing strategy for owned vendors that optimizes for availability and cost
• Participate in manufacturer and vendor reviews
• Drive process improvement and operational excellence within our vendor community by reducing costs, defects, and lead times, while increasing innovation, automation, and economies of scale
• Interact with operations teams and drive efficiencies through team collaboration
• Manage large scale data to drive decision making;
  

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years of with Excel experience
• Bachelor's degree, or 5+ years of professional or military experience
• Experience working with complex data sets
• Experience communicating results to senior leadership
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of statistics or other analytical techniques
• Experience with SQL

• 1. Inventory Management

• Expertise in managing and tracking inventory levels to ensure optimal stock.
• Ability to forecast demand accurately and ensure timely restocking.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and supply chain tools.

• 2. Supply Chain Coordination

• Knowledge of supply chain processes, including procurement, shipping, and delivery.
• Ability to coordinate with suppliers, vendors, and logistics teams to ensure products are delivered on time and in the right quantities.

• 3. Data Analysis and Reporting

• Strong analytical skills to track and assess inventory data, sales trends, and product performance.
• Ability to generate and analyze reports to monitor stock levels, order status, and inventory turnover rates.

• 4. Forecasting and Demand Planning

• Ability to use historical sales data, market trends, and seasonality to predict future product demand.
• Collaborate with other departments, like sales and marketing, to adjust stock levels based on demand forecasts.

• 5. Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

• Ability to identify and resolve issues related to inventory discrepancies, stockouts, or slow-moving products.
• Quick decision-making skills in high-pressure situations to ensure business continuity.

• 6. Supplier Relationship Management

• Strong communication skills to liaise with suppliers, negotiate lead times, and ensure product availability.
• Ability to build strong partnerships with vendors and negotiate better terms or faster restocking when needed.

Desired candidate profile

• Inventory Management and Optimization:

  • Oversee product inventory levels across all locations, ensuring sufficient stock for customer demand while avoiding overstocking.
  • Develop and implement strategies to improve inventory turnover and reduce slow-moving products.
  • Monitor stock levels regularly and adjust reordering processes to keep products in stock.

• Demand Forecasting and Planning:

  • Work closely with sales and marketing teams to forecast demand and adjust inventory levels accordingly.
  • Analyze historical sales data, seasonal trends, and promotions to predict future stock requirements.
  • Adjust procurement orders based on demand forecasts to avoid stockouts or overstock.

• Supplier and Vendor Management:

  • Manage relationships with suppliers and vendors, ensuring that they are meeting agreed-upon lead times and delivery schedules.
  • Negotiate with suppliers to ensure optimal pricing, delivery schedules, and order quantities.
  • Track supplier performance and resolve any issues related to product delivery, quality, or pricing.

• Stock Replenishment:

  • Oversee the timely replenishment of products, ensuring that inventory levels align with customer demand.
  • Work with the procurement team to place restock orders, track shipments, and ensure products arrive on time.
  • Implement inventory replenishment strategies to streamline the process and reduce stockouts.

• Data Analysis and Reporting:

  • Analyze sales and inventory data to assess product performance and identify trends.
  • Provide regular reports to senior management on stock levels, demand forecasts, and inventory performance.
  • Use data-driven insights to make recommendations for stock adjustments and product orders.

• Problem Resolution and Issue Management:

  • Identify potential inventory issues, such as stockouts, overstocking, or damaged products, and take corrective actions.
  • Resolve discrepancies between actual stock levels and system records through regular stock audits.
  • Address supply chain disruptions, shipment delays, or procurement issues to maintain product availability.

• Stock Audits and Compliance:

  • Regularly conduct stock audits to ensure accuracy in the inventory system.
  • Implement and maintain processes for managing stock discrepancies and ensuring compliance with inventory control policies.
  • Ensure that inventory handling follows safety and regulatory standards.

• Collaboration with Other Departments:

  • Collaborate with sales, marketing, and customer service teams to ensure that products are available for promotions, campaigns, or high-demand periods.
  • Work with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure products are efficiently stored, picked, and shipped.

• Process Improvement:

  • Continuously evaluate inventory management processes and suggest improvements for efficiency.
  • Implement best practices in inventory control, stock tracking, and replenishment to reduce costs and improve operations.

• Customer Satisfaction:

  • Ensure that products are available for customers when needed to support high levels of customer satisfaction.
  • Minimize out-of-stock situations that could negatively impact customer experience and sales.